TEFSCBSS Chapter 124

Chapter 124: The Ghostly Lady in the Painting (Part One)

People trapped inside a painting?

Of course, that couldn’t happen in real life. But those who read fiction knew that there were tales of such things—spirits or creatures that could emerge from paintings.

Legends spoke of a world inside the canvas, of beautiful girls painted on walls who stepped out to seduce young men, luring them to so-called heavenly realms. In truth, they were imprisoning them inside the painting, feeding off their life force to sustain the fantasy world within.

A few avid story-readers in the crowd began sharing these eerie tales, and as they spoke, everyone instinctively backed away from the painting, spines tingling with fear.

But Number Five refused to believe it. “That’s impossible. It’s broad daylight.”

“Even if ghosts exist, they’d only come out at night, when the yin energy is strong. Right now, it’s high noon—the sun at its peak. No ghost would dare show up in this kind of light.”

Wang Bokao was exasperated. “The evidence is right in front of you—why don’t you believe it?”

Number Five frowned. “Young Master Wang, you keep insisting it’s the work of ghosts… are you trying to mislead us? Could it be that you’re the culprit?”

A wave of suspicion swept the crowd, eyes narrowing as they turned to Wang Bokao. Even Han Yueyi looked doubtful.

To be honest, if anyone were to stage a supernatural crime, it would be Wang Bokao.

“I’m not! I didn’t! Don’t go making things up!” Wang Bokao backed away. “As if I could pull this off—Su Li won’t even give me the time of day!”

“Forget it! I was trying to help, but you people don’t appreciate it. Fine—figure it out yourselves.”

“Hmph. Just you wait. This ghost in the painting isn’t done. There’ll be more victims sucked in.”

“Even if you blame me now, I’ll still offer you one last piece of advice: find a proper monk or priest and have them take a look at that painting. Maybe there’s still a way to save your missing man.”

With that, Wang Bokao sulked off to rejoin Han Yueyi, wearing a deeply wronged expression and saying nothing more.

Number Five and Number Two didn’t take his warnings seriously. They didn’t believe in ghosts at all.

…But others did.

Number Eight hesitated. “Um… he kind of has a point. Maybe we should find a spiritual master or something?”

He looked nervously at the others. “I’m just saying it doesn’t hurt to prepare both ways…”

The skeptical stares from his teammates made Number Eight shrink a little.

Number One rolled his eyes and ignored him. Number Five opened his mouth, then gave up halfway.

Great—now even his teammates were losing faith. And with the crowd now clamoring for a spiritual master, too, what choice did they have?

Number Two sighed. “Alright. Number Eight, go ask around—see if any locals know of a reliable priest or monk. Bring one over to check the painting.”

“We’ll split up. Ask for witness testimonies and continue investigating the scene.”

Everyone agreed to the plan, even the nearby teams.

Number Five focused on clues inside the bookstore, starting at the front desk.

According to the shopkeeper, Zhao Xiaogou usually stayed at the desk, doing accounting or reading novels.

From what Number Five could see, there were no signs of struggle or disorder. A half-read martial arts novel still sat open on the table.

Zhao hadn’t been forcibly taken. He’d left the desk voluntarily.

So… why?

Maybe someone came into the store, and he went to greet them?

Or maybe it was someone he knew, asking for help?

Pushing these questions aside for now, Number Five continued his search.

The bookstore was tidy, without any signs of strange activity. The shopkeeper confirmed it looked exactly as he had left it. A quick check of the logbook showed that not a single book had been sold all morning.

So far, no leads up front.

Meanwhile, Number Two went to check the backyard.

The shopkeeper lived alone. His wife had died of a terminal illness years ago. He never remarried, never had children, and treated Zhao Xiaogou like his own son, intending to pass the bookstore down to him.

Their relationship was strong, and all the neighbors could vouch for that.

Number Two followed the shopkeeper as they checked every room in the rear section.

Just like the front, everything was neat and untouched—until they reached the woodshed.

“Huh? I could’ve sworn I left this door open…”

The shopkeeper was puzzled. He wasn’t the type to care about appearances, and he usually left the woodshed open to keep it from getting damp and for convenience.

But now, the door was shut?

He pushed it… and it wouldn’t budge?

Number Two’s eyes lit up. He rushed back to the front of the bookstore. “Come quick! There’s something up with the woodshed!”

The crowd surged into the small backyard, packing in tight.

Number Five elbowed his way past Wang Bokao to get a better look.

The door wouldn’t open—it seemed something was blocking it from inside.

He glanced at the windows—they were shut tight too. He tried to push one open, but it was locked from the inside.

The young guards from Changting’s team got excited. “Looks like the culprit’s trapped inside! We got here just in time!”

“Alright, you lot—kick the door in!”

Just then, someone shouted, “Wait!”

Number Five stepped between the guards and the door.

“What’s your problem?”

Number Five explained, frowning, “This room only has one door and two windows, all sealed from the inside. It’s a locked-room situation.”

“If we force our way in, we might destroy important evidence.”

Changting snapped, “Locked room? Evidence? Don’t block me!”

She signaled her guards to move, but before they could act, a sharp wind sliced past her ear.

It came from the silent, black-clad swordsman who had been quietly watching all this time.

He stepped forward, resting his massive blade across the door. Without even looking at Changting, he said coldly, “If this is a locked room, then there must be a proper solution. This is an investigation challenge, not a brawl. Let’s see what everyone can figure out.”

“You—!”

Changting was furious. But she knew better than to fight the swordsman. Even Zhou Jin held her back. She had no choice but to huff and step aside.

Once her plan succeeded, she’d deal with these pesky commoners for good.

Number Five gave the swordsman a grateful look, then crouched with Number Two to examine the door.

“The windows are sealed with inner latches—hard to open from the outside. But the door’s different.”

“There’s no other obstruction inside, just a simple wooden plank, like the kind we use at home. If we can find something long and sturdy enough, we might be able to lift the latch from outside.”